Pennsylvania's supreme court has ruled that a homosexual hate crimes law used against Christian evangelists violates the state constitution.

In 2004, Christian evangelist Michael Marcavage and several other Christians were arrested at Philadelphia's annual gay coming out parade.

Their message the the gay community was homosexuality is a sin - Christ can set you free".

They were charged under the state's ethnic intimidation law for preaching the gospel to homosexuals. But now, the court has ruled that the legislature violated the Pennsylvania constitution by adding sexual orientation to the law.

When the case began four years ago, CBN News spoke with Marcavage about the charges he was facing.

"Well, it was absolutely astonishing, Marcavage said. "I had no idea that I would be one of the first victims in our nation to be charged under hate crimes legislation which I see as the criminalization of Christianity."

Marcavage said after all he's been through, he's elated with the court's decision to strike down that law.